Scientific Methods
Scientific Methods – is the series of steps scientists follow in order to answer questions and
solve problems
Observation – the process of obtaining information by using the senses
Hypothesis – is a possible explanation to a question or problem that can be tested through
scientific research and observation
Data – any piece of information gathered through observation or experimentation
Section Review
2. Which of the following statements about the steps of scientific methods is true?
c. Steps are repeated sometimes.
3. The following statements could have been made during Gillette’s field investigation. Which
statement is a testable hypothesis?
b. The bones are from a known dinosaur.
4. What is an observation? Write down one observation about the room that you are in at this
moment.
Any information gathered through the senses is an observation. The wall is green.
5. What is a controlled experiment?
A controlled experiment is an experiment that tests only one factor at a time.
6. How could two scientists working to answer the same question draw different conclusions?
Two scientists could reach different conclusions, if they made observations in different
ways or collected different kinds of data.
7. What are two ways that you could analyze data about temperature changes over many years?
The data could be arranged in a graph or analyzed using a computer program.
8. The table below shows how long one bacterium takes to divide into two bacteria. Plot the data
on a graph. What temperature allows the bacteria to grow the fastest?
Temperature
(oC)
10
20
25
30
37
40
45
50
Time to double
(min)
130
60
40
29
17
19
32
no growth
Time to double (min)
150
120
90
60
30
0
10
20
30
40
Temperature (oC)
50
A temperature of 37 C allows the bacteria to multiply the fastest.